After centuries of manual labor, the industrial revolution transformed workforces in almost every industry. Instead of doing work by hand, companies turned to machines to speed up production. These days, businesses are looking to another wave of change: industrial automation. To learn more about this technology and how it’s revolutionizing the workforce, dive into the guide below. 

A Brief Guide to Industrial Automation

What Is It?

For many people, the ability to carry around a scaled-down computer in your pocket has changed daily life for the better. Just like consumers and their smartphones, businesses turn to computers, robots, and artificial intelligence to improve their workflow.

In some instances, the technology can take the place of human labor—such as a computer that signals a machine to start packaging items. In other cases, industrial automation is monitored and manipulated by human employees along the way, to prevent errors and ensure quality control.

How Does It Promote Efficiency & Resource Savings?

While humans need to go home and rest after an eight hour shift, robots and computers can continue working 24 hours a day. Plus, they won’t suffer from fatigue or repetitive strain injuries. This can maximize efficiency and help companies save money on payroll, workers’ compensation, and employee benefits. Turning to automated systems is also an excellent choice for dangerous environments, such as factories that use acids or require welding, as human employees can avoid the associated risks.

Since programmed machines don’t get tired, they’re less likely to make errors, which can prevent inconvenient delays in production or processing. They also don’t need to commute to work and produce emissions that contribute to pollution.

When working, these computers and robots can constantly keep track of how much resources they’re using, whether water, timber, or paper products are a part of your production process. In addition to minimizing the consumption of natural resources throughout the work period, at the end of the day, they can compile the data, so companies can easily assess their sustainability shortcomings.

How Can It Be More Efficient?

Once you have incorporated automation into your routine, you’ll find that there’s always room for improvement. Some companies specialize in improving automation performance, in order to further reduce the consumption of energy and natural resources. They can analyze your program’s efficiency at every stop along the assembly line, and come up with the adjustments that will improve your bottom line and shrink your carbon footprint—such as by tracking KPIs online or monitoring temperature levels in refrigeration systems.

If you believe your business could benefit from industrial automation, turn to Abcon Automation of Fairfield, OH. They build turnkey systems for industrial clients throughout the local Tri-state area, and they can also handle the installation aspect. When you’re ready to work on a new goal—be it conservation, efficiency, or quality control—you can rely on their skills to fine-tune your industrial automation system. Learn more about their unique offerings online, or call (513) 851-7572 to speak with a representative.